<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                                            9
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Palmetto
Bancshares, Inc. and subsidiary Consolidated Income Statements and Consolidated
Balance Sheets and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                   MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                           23,453
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                                0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                  5,198
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                      0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     102,971
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                                0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                  0
<LOANS>                                         414,983
<ALLOWANCE>                                      (5,962)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  577,655
<DEPOSITS>                                      500,639
<SHORT-TERM>                                     28,264
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                               4,390
<LONG-TERM>                                           0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                 0
<PREFERRED>                                           0
<COMMON>                                         15,518
<OTHER-SE>                                       24,112
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                  577,655
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                   8,943
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                 1,458
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     59
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                 10,460
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                3,669
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                3,996
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                             6,464
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                       491
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   25
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                   4,995
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   2,727
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                        1,891
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                       0
<CHANGES>                                             0
<NET-INCOME>                                      1,891
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      0.61
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      0.60
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                     4.95
<LOANS-NON>                                       1,292
<LOANS-PAST>                                         35
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                      0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                       0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                  5,795
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      (338)
<RECOVERIES>                                         14
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                 5,962
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                   0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                               0
        

</TABLE>